USCIS Online Account and Form Filing Instructions for Post-Completion OPT

 Explore the USCIS resources and self-service tools available at Tools and Resources

Learn about USCIS online accounts at Benefits of a USCIS Online Account

Sign up for a USCIS online account at How to Create a USCIS Online Account.

Take action in your USCIS Online Account at USCIS Account Onboarding.

Watch a YouTube video on the Benefits of Applying Online

Review step-by-step instructions and other guidance for filing a form online at USCIS Tips for Filing Forms Online

 When you are ready to file for Post-Completion OPT (c-3-B), please select File a Form Online from the options available through your USCIS Online Account. The form that you will need to file is the Application for Employment Authorization (I-765). After clicking on the start form box, you will be redirected to the I-765, Application for Employment Authorization page.

The process of completing and submitting Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, is divided into five sections, and instructions will be provided as you navigate through each section. You may save your draft application for up to 30 days if you are unable to complete it all in a single session. The online Form I-765 will list questions in a different order than the paper Form I-765, but both require the same responses. The same support documents will also be needed to submit your Form I-765 online as would be necessary if filing the paper Form I-765.

 The sections and subsections of the application are as follows:

• Getting Started
  • Basis of eligibility
    • Post-Completion OPT is category c(3)(B)
  • Reason for applying
    • Initial permission to accept employment
  • Have you previously filed Form I-765?
    • NO- If you have not previously applied for work authorization with a Form I-765
    • YES- If you have previously filed a Form I-765

® Note- If you select YES, you will be required to upload a copy of your previous EAD in the “Evidence.”

section of the online I-765

• Preparer and interpreter
  • NO- Unless someone is assisting you with the application (e.g., an interpreter or legal professional)
• About You
  • Your name
  • Your contact information
  • Describe yourself
  • When and where you were born
  • Your immigration information
  • Other information

 

• Evidence
  • 2x2 photo of you
    • Information on photo requirements and how to create a photo is available on the S. Department of State website at Photo Requirements and Tools

 

• Form I-94
  • Upload your Form I-94
    • The digital form can be downloaded or printed at Customs and Border Protection I-94 Website

• If you most recently arrived in the United States before April 30, 2013, you may have been issued an I-94 record stub by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and may not have access to a digital Form I-94. If applicable, please copy and include both sides of your I-94 record stub.

• Upload your valid passport and any expired passports
  • Photo and biographical page (may be on the same page or multiple pages)

® Note- Include expired passport only if the document was used to most recently enter the United States and is listed in your I-94 record

 

• Employment Authorization Document
  • Upload any previously issued EAD cards
  • Upload your F-1 visa and any other U.S.-issued visas
    • Biographical page and page with the most recent entry stamp
    • Visa may have expired

® Note- Include other U.S. issued visas only if you most recently entered the United States using a visa other than a category F-1 and were subsequently approved for an adjustment of status to F-1 by the USCIS

® Note- If you were approved for an adjustment of status to F-1 by the USCIS, please confirm with your International Advisor if any additional steps are required before filing your Form I-765 application with the USCIS

• Previously authorized CPT or OPT
  • We recommend uploading the SEVIS CPT Employment Summary, provided to you by our office, as evidence of any previously authorized CPT
  • We recommend uploading Form I-797, Notice of Action, provided to you by the USCIS, as evidence of any previously authorized employment

 

• Form I-20
  • Upload the Post-Completion OPT recommendation Form I-20 issued to you for the purpose of applying for Post-Completion OPT. Please verify that a recommendation for Post-Completion OPT is listed on page 2. The I-20 must be hand-signed by your International Advisor and you.

 

® Warning- The Form I-20 that you upload must include a recommendation for Post-Completion OPT listed on page 2. If your Form I-20 does not include a recommendation for Post-Completion OPT, the USCIS will likely deny your Form I-765 application for Post-Completion OPT.

® Warning- You must file your Form I-765 application for Post-Completion OPT with the USCIS within 30 days of when your International Advisor processed your recommendation in SEVIS. This date may be different from the date your I-20 was created.

 

• Additional Information
  • The additional information section is the online equivalent of page 7 of the paper Form I-765. Please use this section to provide any additional information for any of your (e.g., previously filed Form I-765, change of status to F-1, updated name, etc.)
• Review and Submit
  • Review your application
    • A list of alerts and warnings will appear based on the information you provided. Review the alerts and make any necessary corrections.
  • Your application summary
    • Review each section of your Form I-765 and upload evidence to ensure the accuracy of your We also recommend downloading your Form I-765 responses for your reference.
  • Your statement

• Indicate that you can read and understand English
• Indicate that you have read and agree to the applicant’s statement
• Provide a digital signature by typing your full legal name as listed on your Form I-20

• Pay the Form I-765 Filing Fee
  • You may pay using a credit card, debit card, or a withdrawal from a checking or savings account
  • You will be redirected to gov to make your payment
  • The Form I-765 filing fee payment is not refundable
  • The payment will not post to your USCIS Online Account on the same day the transaction is USCIS recommends allowing 1-2 business days for the payment to be posted to your online account.

 

® Warning- If you file your Form I-765 application for Post-Completion OPT and make the necessary payment on the last day of your eligibility period, the USCIS will likely deny your application for Post-Completion OPT. Please consider the payment processing time when completing your application.

® Warning- You may not make any edits or updates to your Form I-765 after paying your form filing fee.

Please review your form responses, uploaded evidence, and any alerts or warnings BEFORE making your payment.

 

Once your application is submitted and payment received, you will use your online account to:

• View your receipt notice (Form I-797c)
• View your case status
• View a PDF of the completed Form I-765
• View your decision notice (Form I-797)
• Review Requests for Evidence (RFE) if applicable
• Send the USCIS secure messages regarding your case and receive answers in response

 

The USCIS will mail the following items to you via United States Postal Service (USPS):

• Form I-797c, Notice of Action (receipt notice)
• Form I-797, Notice of Action (decision notice)
• EAD Card
• Request for Evidence (RFE) if applicable

USCIS Online Account and Form Filing Instructions for STEM OPT

Explore the USCIS resources and self-service tools available at Tools and Resources

Learn about USCIS online accounts at Benefits of a USCIS Online Account

Sign up for a USCIS online account at How to Create a USCIS Online Account.

Take action in your USCIS Online Account at USCIS Account Onboarding.

Watch a YouTube video on the Benefits of Applying Online

Review step-by-step instructions and other guidance for filing a form online at USCIS Tips for Filing Forms Online

When you are ready to file for STEM OPT (c-3-C), please select File a Form Online from the options available through your USCIS Online Account. The form that you will need to file is the Application for Employment Authorization

(I-765). After clicking on the start form box, you will be redirected to the I-765, Application for Employment Authorization page.

The process of completing and submitting Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, is divided into five sections, and instructions will be provided as you navigate through each section. You may save your draft application for up to 30 days if you are unable to complete it all in a single session. The online Form I-765 will list questions in a different order than the paper Form I-765, but both require the same responses. The same support documents will also be needed to submit your Form I-765 online as would be necessary if filing the paper Form I-765.

The sections and subsections of the application are as follows:

• Getting Started
  • Basis of eligibility
    • STEM OPT is category c(3)(C)
    • What is your degree?

 List your academic level and CIP code, or your academic level and major

• What is your name as listed in E-Verify?

 Confirm this answer with your employer

• What is your E-Verify company identification number?

 Confirm this answer with your employer. The E-Verify number is not the same as the Employer Identification Number (EIN).

• Reason for applying
  • Renewal of permission to accept employment
• Have you previously filed Form I-765?
  • YES- If you have previously filed a Form I-765

 Note- If you select YES, you will be required to upload a copy of your previous EAD in the  section of the online I-765

      Preparer and interpreter

• NO- Unless someone is assisting you with the application (e.g., an interpreter or legal professional)

• About You
  • Your name
  • Your contact information
  • Describe yourself
  • When and where you were born
  • Your immigration information
  • Other information
    • What is your A-Number?

 This number is listed on your Post-Completion OPT EAD card as the USCIS number. It is not the same as your receipt/case number.

• What is your USCIS Online Account Number?

 This number is assigned by USCIS after a form, such as an I-765, is filed online. If you have been assigned a USCIS Online Account Number, it should automatically populate into the space provided. If you have not been assigned a USCIS online account number, please leave this section blank and select the box indicating that you do not have a number or do not know your number.

Page 1 of 3

 

Evidence

• 2x2 photo of you
  • Information on photo requirements and how to create a photo is available on the S. Department of State website at Photo Requirements and Tools
• Form I-94
  • Upload your Form I-94

      The digital form can be downloaded or printed at the Customs and Border Protection I-94 Website

      If you most recently arrived in the United States before April 30, 2013, you may have been issued an I-94 record stub by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and may not have access to a digital Form I-94. If applicable, please copy and include both sides of your I-94 record stub.

• Upload your valid passport and any expired passports

      Photo and biographical page (may be on the same page or multiple pages)

 Note- Include expired passport only if the document was used to enter the United States and is listed in your most recent Form I-94

      Employment Authorization Document

• Upload your Post-Completion OPT EAD card and any previously issued EAD cards
• Upload Form I-797, Notice of Action (approval notice) for Post-Completion OPT
• Upload your F-1 visa and any other U.S.-issued visas

      Biographical page and page with the most recent entry stamp

      Visa may have expired

 Note- Include other U.S. issued visas only if you most recently entered the United States using a visa other than a category F-1 and were subsequently approved for an adjustment of status to F-1 by the USCIS

 Note- If you were approved for an adjustment of status to F-1 by the USCIS, please confirm with your International Advisor if any additional steps are required before filing your Form I-765 application with the USCIS

 

      Form I-20

• Upload the STEM OPT recommendation Form I-20 issued to you for the purpose of applying for STEM OPT. Please verify that a STEM OPT recommendation is listed on the page. The I-20 must be hand-signed by your International Advisor and you.

 Warning- The Form I-20 that you upload must include a recommendation for STEM OPT listed on page

2. If your Form I-20 does not include a recommendation for STEM OPT, the USCIS will likely deny your Form I-765 application for STEM OPT.

 Warning- You must file your Form I-765 application for STEM OPT with the USCIS within 60 days of when your International Advisor processed your recommendation in SEVIS. This date may be different from the date your I-20 was created.

• College Degree
  • Upload a copy of your final official transcript or diploma
• Institutional Accreditation
  • Only required if this STEM OPT extension is based on a previously earned STEM This is very uncommon.

 

• Additional Information
  • The additional information section is the online equivalent to page 7 of the paper Form I-765. Please use this section to provide any additional information for any of your answers. (e.g., previously filed Form I-765, change of status to F-1, updated name, etc.)

• Review and Submit
  • Review your application
    • A list of alerts and warnings will appear based on the information you provided in your Review the alerts and make any necessary corrections.
  • Your application summary
    • Review each section of your Form I-765 and upload evidence to ensure the accuracy of your We also recommend downloading your Form I-765 responses for your reference.
  • Your statement
    • Indicate that you can read and understand English
    • Indicate that you have read and agree to the statement
    • Provide a digital signature by typing your full legal name as listed on your Form I-20
  • Pay the Form I-765 Filing Fee
    • You may pay using a credit card, debit card, or withdrawal from a checking or savings account
    • You will be redirected to gov to make your payment
    • The Form I-765 filing fee payment is not refundable
    • The payment will not post to your USCIS Online Account on the same day the transaction is USCIS recommends allowing 1-2 business days for the payment to be posted to your online account.

 Warning- If you file your Form I-765 application for STEM OPT and make the necessary payment on the last day of your eligibility period, the USCIS will likely deny your application for STEM OPT. Please consider the payment processing time when completing your application.

 Warning- You may not make any edits or updates to your Form I-765 after paying your form filing fee. Please review your form responses, uploaded evidence, and any alerts or warnings BEFORE making your payment.

Once your application is submitted and payment received, you will use your online account to:

•  View your receipt notice (Form I-797c)
•  View your case status
•  View a PDF of the completed Form I-765
•  View your decision notice (Form I-797)
•  Review Requests for Evidence (RFE) if applicable
•  Send the USCIS secure messages regarding your case and receive answers in response

The USCIS will mail the following items to you via United States Postal Service (USPS):

•  Form I-797c, Notice of Action (receipt notice)
•  Form I-797, Notice of Action (decision notice)
•  EAD Card
•  Request for Evidence (RFE) if applicable

Things to Note

• You may submit your Post-Completion OPT application packet to the USCIS as early as 90 days before your academic program end date. 
• The latest date the USCIS will accept your Post-Completion OPT application is 60 days after your academic program end date.  Your academic program end date will be determined by your academic level and degree type, as listed below.
• As a reminder, you may not continue working on-campus, as a graduate teaching assistant, as a graduate research assistant, or on CPT after your program end date.

Determining your Program End Date Based on Your Specific Program

• Undergraduate Students your program end date will be the last day of the graduating semester based on the Registrar’s Office academic calendar. 
• Master’s Students Without Thesis your program end date will be the last day of the graduating semester based on the Registrar’s Office academic calendar.
• Master’s Students With Thesis- The latter of either your estimated date of final library copy submission or last day of graduate assistantship, if applicable.
• Doctorate Students-The latter of either your estimated date of final library copy submission or last day of graduate assistantship, if applicable.

Selecting your OPT Start Date

When selecting the request dates for your Post-Completion OPT, you may not select a start date before or on your program end date, or more than 60 days after your program end date.  Also, the end date of your Post-Completion OPT cannot be later than 14 months after your program end date. 

Please note, the requested dates of Post-Completion OPT will be considered by the USCIS but cannot always be fulfilled.  The USCIS may authorize Post-Completion OPT for dates later than requested or for less than 12 months, but will not authorize Post-Completion OPT for dates earlier than requested.

Our office requires a minimum of 10 business days to process all employment-based requests, including Post-Completion OPT and STEM OPT.  Please allow yourself sufficient time to receive your Post-Completion recommendation I-20 and to complete your Post-Completion OPT application.  As a reminder, you must file your application with the USCIS within 30 days of the date that your International Advisor enters the recommendation for Post-Completion OPT into your SEVIS record. 

1) To begin the OPT Recommendation Process, login to your ISSS Gateway Portal. After logging in, go to the request center tab. On the request center tab you will find the OPT Recommendation Request.

2) Pay the $200 Post-Completion OPT administrative fee. Note that no refunds will be processed for selecting the incorrect fee or canceling the request after it has been made. The payment can be made online on our Marketplace.  A receipt will be emailed to the email listed after payment has been made. You will need to upload this receipt as part of the OPT Recommendation Request. Use the file upload to upload the receipt confirmation. 

Please understand, we will not process incomplete forms or accept applications without all of the necessary forms and signatures included.  Students filing online may also submit a digital draft of their Form I-765 for review.  Students filing by mail may also submit their completed Forms G-1145 and I-765 for review. 

3) Once your forms, Joe’SS record, and SEVIS record have been reviewed and any necessary corrections have been made, we will add a recommendation for Post-Completion OPT in your SEVIS record.  A new I-20 (recommendation I-20) will be generated for you during this process. You will receive an email from your international advisor confirming that the recommendation has been processed. 

4) The Post-Completion recommendation I-20 will be emailed to you for your use when submitting your Post-Completion OPT application to the USCIS.  Please print the I-20 and hand-sign and date page 1 in blue ink.  You will also be provided instructions on how to receive your original I-20.

5) Complete and file your Post-Completion OPT application using the appropriately provided Post-Completion OPT Filing guide.  Once the USCIS has received your application, online or by mail, you will be issued a Form I-797c, Notice of Action letter which will serve as your application receipt.  Please allow 10 – 14 days for the letter to be mailed to your provided address by the USCIS.

You may NOT begin employment, paid or voluntary, before receiving your EAD card from the USCIS or before the start date listed on your EAD card. 

Once your application for Post-Completion OPT has been approved, you will be provided with instructions on employment requirements and reporting, as well as how to maintain your SEVIS status. Additional guidance and assistance on the Post-Completion OPT program can be found at the following sites:

USCIS- OPT for F-1 Students

Study in the States- Training Opportunities in the United States

Study in the States- SEVP Portal

USCIS Check Case Processing Times

USCIS Check Case Status

Requirements

There are additional requirements for STEM OPT that do not apply to Post-Completion OPT (OPT). Failure to comply with STEM OPT requirements may negatively affect your SEVIS status. Please keep the following requirements in mind as you apply for STEM OPT: 

• Your degree must be in a STEM-approved major. To determine if your major qualifies for STEM OPT, please visit STEM OPT Eligible CIP Codes.
• The STEM OPT position must be full-time and wage-earning
• The STEM OPT employer must have a registered E-Verify account with the Department of Homeland Security
• A Form I-983 training plan must be submitted to your International Advisor for each STEM OPT employer and/or employment change.
• Any employer or employment changes must be reported to your International Advisor within 10 days of the change.
• Employment verification, reporting, and evaluations must be completed and submitted to your International Advisor at scheduled intervals. 
• See the Form I-983 Instructions for more assistance with the training plan. 

Deadlines

There are strict deadlines that must be followed when applying for STEM OPT. The USCIS will likely deny applications filed outside of the deadlines or with expired forms. Please keep the following processing times and deadlines in mind as you apply for STEM OPT:

• The earliest date the USCIS will accept your STEM OPT application and I-765 fee is 90 days before the expiration date listed on your current OPT EAD card
• The latest date the USCIS will accept your STEM OPT application and I-765 fee is on the expiration date of your current OPT EAD card.
• You may not apply for STEM OPT after the expiration date of your current OPT EAD card. 
• The USCIS must receive your STEM OPT recommendation I-20 no later than 60 days after the STEM OPT recommendation was made in your SEVIS record by your International Advisor. This date may differ from the date your I-20 was issued.
• We require a minimum of 10 business days to process OPT/STEM OPT requests once the necessary forms have been received. Please allow sufficient time to receive your STEM OPT recommendation I-20 and to file your STEM OPT application.
• If your OPT authorization expires while your timely filed STEM OPT application is still pending, the USCIS will automatically extend your OPT authorization for 180 days. This automatic 180-day extension ceases once the USCIS adjudicates your STEM OPT application. 

Application Filing Options and Steps

You must receive a STEM OPT recommendation I-20 from your International Advisor before filing your application. Follow these steps below to complete the request for the STEM OPT 24-Month Extension. 

1) To begin the STEM OPT 24-Month Extension Recommendation Process, log in to your ISSS Gateway Portal. After logging in, go to the request center tab. On the Request Center tab, you will find the STEM OPT Recommendation Request. Complete as much information as you can.

Pay the $300 STEM OPT 24-Month Extension administrative fee.  The payment can be made online at Marketplace.  A receipt will be generated at the end of the transaction and emailed to you. You will need to submit this in the file upload section of the request in your ISSS Gateway Portal.

2)  Complete the required Form I-983 and the required information on the STEM OPT Recommendation Request.                                                                                           

3) Submit the STEM OPT Recommendation Form, Form G-1145 (only if filing by mail), Form I-765 (only if filing by mail), Form I-983, and Marketplace receipt to your International Advisor through the Request Center.  Students who file online may also submit a draft of their Form I-765 for review in advance.  Incomplete forms and/or applications without all of the necessary forms and signatures will not be accepted or processed. 

4) A recommendation for STEM OPT will be made in your SEVIS record, and a new I-20 will be issued.  This will be your STEM OPT recommendation I-20 that must be filed with your STEM OPT application.  The STEM OPT recommendation I-20 will be emailed to you. Please print the I-20 and hand-sign and date page 1 in blue ink. 

5) Schedule an advising appointment with your International Advisor at Advising-by-Appointment to review your STEM OPT application and materials.

6) Complete and file your STEM OPT application using the appropriate guidance provided on STEM OPT filing.

Additional Resources

If you have any questions about STEM OPT, please contact your International Advisor.  Additional guidance and assistance for the STEM OPT program can be found at the following sites:

Study in the States STEM OPT Hub

USCIS OPT Extension for STEM Students

USCIS Check Case Status using the receipt number listed in your Form I-797c, Notice of Action

USCIS Check Case Processing Times for Form I-765 processing at the Potomac Service Center

 

Students may work as volunteers or unpaid interns; if this practice does not violate any labor laws, it includes employment where paid work should be received. Generally, if another person is being paid for the same position, it should not be reported as a voluntary position for OPT.

The work should be at least 20 hours per week for students on post-completion OPT and most directly relate to the student's major. A student should be able to provide evidence, obtained from the student's employer, verifying that they worked at least 20 hours per week during the period of employment.

Volunteer positions that are not directly related to your course of study do not qualify as optional practical training (OPT) and must not be listed as OPT employment. Reporting non-qualifying volunteer opportunities as OPT employment will be deemed a violation of your reporting requirements and subject you to removal from the United States.

In addition, non-qualifying volunteer positions do not stop the accrual of unemployment benefits, which are limited to a total of 90 days during OPT. Accordingly, if you have been unemployed for more than 90 days, you must leave the United States or be subject to removal, even if you have volunteered while unemployed.

What happens if a student reports employment falsely or does not meet the correct reporting requirements?

A student may be denied future immigration benefits that rely on the student's valid F-1 status if DHS determines that the student exceeded the limitations on authorized unemployment.

Additionally, ICE/SEVP may examine SEVIS data for an individual, a selected group, or all students on post-completion OPT and terminate a student's record if the data fail to show that the student maintained the required period of employment. In such cases, the student will be allowed to demonstrate compliance with all OPT requirements, including maintaining employment.

Students are encouraged to report changes in employment to their DSO as soon as possible. SEVP recommends that students report changes within 10 business days of the change to avoid situations in which a DHS official may determine that the student is out of status.

OPT Employment Options

• You may only start working once you have your EAD in your possession and you have reached the start date on the card. Email confirmation or receipt notices from USCIS will not suffice as evidence of work authorization. You may only work within the dates printed on the card.
  
• Your job must be directly related to your academic field of study. You are not permitted to work on or off campus after your I-20 program completion date unless the job directly relates to your field and falls within the dates on your EAD. You will need to prepare a short statement drawing a logical connection between your studies and employment.
  
• Employment must be a minimum of 20 hours per week, paid or unpaid, to maintain legal F-1 OPT status. You should retain evidence from your employer(s) to verify that you are working at least 20 hours per week.
  
• Limitation on unemployment for Post-Completion OPT: Once your post-completion OPT period starts, you may not accrue more than a total of 90 days of unemployment within the dates on your EAD. You need to begin your employment and report it by submitting an OPT update to ISSS to stop the unemployment clock in SEVIS. Time spent outside the United States, if not employed by a U.S. employer, is counted towards the 90 days of unemployment. 

Multiple Employers: You may work for more than one employer, but all employment must be related to your degree program.

Contract Work, Consulting, or Work for Hire: Commonly referred to as 1099 or independent contractor employment, where an individual performs a service based on a contractual relationship rather than an employment relationship. If you work for hire, keep documents showing the duration of the contract periods and the name and address of the contracting company.

Self-employment: Only permitted on OPT, not STEM OPT. You may start a business and be self-employed. You should be able to prove that you have the proper business licenses and are actively engaged in a business related to your degree program.

It is important to keep records of your employment history while on OPT. You may need to present them as evidence when entering the U.S., or as proof of maintaining lawful status when applying for future immigration benefits.

Examples of records to keep:

• offer letters
• contracts
• payroll stubs
• letters describing volunteer activity and hours
• EAD cards, even when OPT has ended

Students who have been authorized for STEM OPT are expected to complete evaluations and employment reporting at specific intervals during their 24 months of employment.

All STEM OPT Students should report their evaluations via their ISSS Gateway Portal by using the STEM Report Participation Request on the Request Center Tab. 

Based on your STEM OPT employment authorization start date you will have the following tasks to complete:

The 6-Month and 18-Month Reports

• 6-Month Reporting is to assure that your information does not need to be updated. It is to check your current employer has not changed. Any material changes should be reported on a new Form I-983 to your International Advisor. 
• 18-Month Reporting is to assure that after you have completed your evaluation at the 12-month mark there have been no changes to your employment information. It is to check your current employer has not changed. Any material changes should be reported on a new Form I-983 to your International Advisor. 

The 12-Month and 24-Month Reports

• 12-month Reporting is to evaluate your current Practical Training with your employer a Form I-983 will need to be submitted with the top section of Page 5.  
• 24-Month Reporting is to evaluate your completion of your Practical Training. Is is referred to as your final reporting requirement. You will need to submit your Form I-983 with all sections completed including the bottom section of page 5.